I think it started in me last week after my “Would Jesus vote” post. Maybe because I listened more closely to the political discussion, even among my fellow Christians. And it burdened me.

As the church we need one another. I need you and you need me. We need to hold each other accountable to true things.

flickr photo credit

As believers, we’re convinced that God’s standard is the best standard. We believe that His ways — morally and spiritually — give us the supreme framework for societal living because He created…everything. And being that we live in a democracy, we get to express that standard through a vote.

But democracy is simply a shell. Political “victory” is only external. It doesn’t change hearts. It doesn’t produce love. It cannot be our place of hope.

It cannot be our place of hope.

It seems that some of us, even as Christ followers, hurl rude words at the world and take sin personally, thrilling at the thought of God’s judgment. But here’s the thing. Those who don’t know Jesus are just doing what they know to do. Apart from Him we live bound to self and sin. In fact those who don’t know Jesus are doing what they are supposed to do. Rebelling from their Maker.

But God is their Judge. Not me. (1 Corinthians 5:13)

My job as His child is to love. It’s how this world will know I am His disciple. I love my brothers and sisters. We hold each other accountable. We forgive continually. We give lavishly. We proclaim our Lord. And we pray fervently.

We pray for wisdom. We pray for His will. We pray for the souls around us, because if they haven’t truly accepted the sacrifice of Jesus then they will swallow God’s wrath for themselves. A sobering reality.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11

Laws cannot transform this world. They only reveal our sin. A team of doctors cannot heal the rampant soul diseases. It’s love. When the love of God pierces to the division of soul and spirit, moms and dads and lawyers and store owners and, yes, even politicians change. And when people become vessels of God’s love, the world flips upside down with revival.

It’s what will truly change our world.

 
Fill me, Lord…

What do you think love looks like in our broken world?

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Put murder or child abuse in front of me and the glass is clear. An obvious violation of God’s heart and his commands. But put Twitter in front of me and I can get a little lost. It’s more difficult to navigate when there aren’t absolutes.

flickr photo credit: lukje

Based upon the response to Friday’s post, I’d say we all want direction at times — especially in those unclear areas. We want guidance with how to manage time and how to teach our kids. And guidance isn’t wrong. It’s right.

But ultimately only he can guide us through the gray. Only he can lead us down the best path for our personal Monday. Only he knows us perfectly…and loves us regardless.

Part of me doesn’t like writing about the gray because I never want to put something on you that is only intended for me. I never want to place a burden upon your shoulders that will lay heavy and unnecessary.

So I pray that we would be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, knowing where he is leading when we can’t look up the answer in a concordance.

I love what Jessie Penn-Lewis said, “The Spirit-filled life is the crucified life.” The crucified life. Dying to self and setting my mind, soul, heart, and strength on him. It’s the only way to truly live.



Fill me, Lord…
Practically speaking, how can we die to self and live sensitive to his leading?

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